Trump Makes Last-Ditch Effort: Sec Hegseth Visits Panama Amid Canal Return Push

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to visit Panama next week in response to President Donald Trump's demands for the return of control over the Panama Canal. The move aims to address ongoing tensions between the US and Panama over the waterway's ownership. Hegseth's visit is seen as an attempt to reassure Panama of its commitment to the existing agreement, which grants the canal's operation to Panama but allows the US to maintain military access. The visit comes amid a period of heightened diplomatic pressure from Trump.